Politicians, activists disagree over power lines in Delaware Water Gap national park

Elected officials and candidates generally favored putting taller transmission towers and more powerful electric lines through the national park, at the second hearing for the Susquehanna-Roseland power line project Wednesday.

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By DAVID PIERCE

poconorecord.com

By DAVID PIERCE

Posted Jan. 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By DAVID PIERCE

Posted Jan. 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

Elected officials and candidates generally favored putting taller transmission towers and more powerful electric lines through the national park, at the second hearing for the Susquehanna-Roseland power line project Wednesday.

Activists disagreed, saying the project will harm the park environment.

Stroud Township Supervisor Ed Cramer cited two utility companies' $30 million dollar offer to buy and protect other acreage in return for crossing an existing Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area right-of-way near Bushkill. The 147-mile line would stretch from Berwick to Roseland, N.J.

"I think it's a great opportunity to acquire lands," said Cramer, a Cherry Valley Wildlife Refuge Board member who is seeking the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat.

Teri VanBritsom, who also is seeking the Democratic 45th Senate District nomination, said the offer by PPL and Public Service Electric & Gas to provide contiguous new public lands near the park would provide local benefits. She praised PPL's conservation record.

Chuck Leonard of the Pocono Mountain Economic Development Corporation said added power will benefit Monroe County and its residents who commute to work in New Jersey. "Utility infrastructure is probably the most important factor in siting a business in this country," Leonard said.

Smithfield Township Supervisor Christine Griffin disagreed.

"This is an obsolete 40-year solution," she said. "This is a centralized grid that is subject to terrorist attacks."

A chorus of voices pushed for protecting the national recreation area.

"We must jealously guard what we have," said Tanya McCabe of Blairstown, N.J. "Our need for natural beauty and open spaces should not be brought to its knees."

Shawnee resident Nancy Shukaitis, 86, a former Monroe County commissioner who played a key role in blocking the Tocks Island reservoir in what became the national recreation area, said the park service's own draft environmental impact statement proves the taller towers and wider right-of-way would impair the park.

"None of this should be risked for an ostentatious, outdated power line," Shukaitis said. "This park outweighs the values the electrical companies offer."